The words and ideas encompassed in Stephen Covey’s quote struck a few personal chords within me that I felt reflected aspects of my own personality, my beliefs, and my views on human behaviors and their potential effects on an individual in society and in the classroom.
First, as an educator and as a person I believe that I possess proactive characteristics. I have an upbeat personality when I am teaching, as well as when I am socializing amongst friends. I like to teach students by giving them as many hands-on learning opportunities as I can because I was once, and still am, a very visual, hands-on learner. In addition, I am the “down to business” type. When I have set a goal for myself or one has been set for me, I do what I have to do to achieve success and do not let external or internal distractions prevent me from doing so. I feel that these characteristics allow me to value my own life experiences, as well as encourage my students and others around me to value and understand theirs.
Next, after reading the quotes of Eleanor Roosevelt and Gandhi cited within Covey’s words, I was in complete agreement with their logics related to the hurt an individual could potentially cause another. As a child I can remember coming home from school or returning home after spending time with friends with tears welling in my eyes asking my parents, “Why are there mean people in the world?” I could not understand how anyone would purposefully do something with the intent of hurting another, whether it were physical or emotional. Both of my parents would respond by telling me that it didn’t matter what people thought about me or my beliefs, what mattered was that I develop the strength to never let these people “get to me” or take away my dignity. The moment I let the ignorance of another make me feel bad about myself or what I believe in, is the moment where I have let myself down. I reflect upon the guidance, advice, and strength of my parents on a daily basis. I also teach my students the same way my parents taught me to handle the hardships of growing up in a world where callous people would, unfortunately, never completely become extinct.
Finally, I have grown to firmly believe that everyone is born with a “clean slate” and that we become who we are because of the choices that we make each day. As we go through life each decision we make takes us further down a certain path or changes our life’s course. It is up to the “liver” of a “life” to choose what is best, accept what has gone wrong, and access the innate need for success and survival in order to progress as an individual. Although I embrace the idea that there can be “extenuating circumstances” and some “exceptions” to these rules, I believe one cannot point the finger of blame at someone other than themselves for who they are becoming or who they have become. Each day I remind myself and my students to take ownership of yourself and your future and make every decision as if it were life altering. The potential devastation of a “ripple effect” is something I would rather not chance.
First, as an educator and as a person I believe that I possess proactive characteristics. I have an upbeat personality when I am teaching, as well as when I am socializing amongst friends. I like to teach students by giving them as many hands-on learning opportunities as I can because I was once, and still am, a very visual, hands-on learner. In addition, I am the “down to business” type. When I have set a goal for myself or one has been set for me, I do what I have to do to achieve success and do not let external or internal distractions prevent me from doing so. I feel that these characteristics allow me to value my own life experiences, as well as encourage my students and others around me to value and understand theirs.
Next, after reading the quotes of Eleanor Roosevelt and Gandhi cited within Covey’s words, I was in complete agreement with their logics related to the hurt an individual could potentially cause another. As a child I can remember coming home from school or returning home after spending time with friends with tears welling in my eyes asking my parents, “Why are there mean people in the world?” I could not understand how anyone would purposefully do something with the intent of hurting another, whether it were physical or emotional. Both of my parents would respond by telling me that it didn’t matter what people thought about me or my beliefs, what mattered was that I develop the strength to never let these people “get to me” or take away my dignity. The moment I let the ignorance of another make me feel bad about myself or what I believe in, is the moment where I have let myself down. I reflect upon the guidance, advice, and strength of my parents on a daily basis. I also teach my students the same way my parents taught me to handle the hardships of growing up in a world where callous people would, unfortunately, never completely become extinct.
Finally, I have grown to firmly believe that everyone is born with a “clean slate” and that we become who we are because of the choices that we make each day. As we go through life each decision we make takes us further down a certain path or changes our life’s course. It is up to the “liver” of a “life” to choose what is best, accept what has gone wrong, and access the innate need for success and survival in order to progress as an individual. Although I embrace the idea that there can be “extenuating circumstances” and some “exceptions” to these rules, I believe one cannot point the finger of blame at someone other than themselves for who they are becoming or who they have become. Each day I remind myself and my students to take ownership of yourself and your future and make every decision as if it were life altering. The potential devastation of a “ripple effect” is something I would rather not chance.